A Professional Close Up Magician
I’m very lucky to do something for a living that I love, making the decision to walk away from my day job and concentrate on magic full time was a difficult decision, however one I have not regretted for a second.
Being a professional entertainer I receive lots of requests for charity performances. I decided that one year I would allow my services to be auctioned off for charity for the Lido Swimming Pool in Chipping Norton. The auction is hosted by the incomparable Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame. Before I was auctioned off, I was asked to present a trick on stage with Jeremy for the entire audience. I came up with a effect involving Jeremy’s own books that he has written in which he was asked to choose any word on any page, I read his mind and told him the word he was thinking of. Jeremy was so impressed he bid on my lot himself, and won my auction, paying £400 to have me perform at a future event for his friends and family.
I am a big Formula One fan and enjoy nothing more on a Sunday afternoon than watching a Grand Prix. I was on the edge of my seat like everyone else when Lewis Hamilton won the driver’s championship. I was delighted to be invited to perform at The Lewis Hamilton Celebration Party at his engine supplier Mercedez-Benz four days after he took the title, it was an event closed to the media, so it was a real privilege to see him personally thank the team for all their work.
At the age of fourteen I won The Magic Circle Youth Initiative Programme’s Close-Up Magician of the Year Competition. After making it through to the finals, I presented my 10 minute act to a room full of Magic Circle Magicians: it was the most terrifying moment of my professional life (Aged just 14!). One of the judges went on to become my mentor, Bob Swaddling. I was taught by Bob for three years. Although he is not a household name, several of the tricks he has invented have been used on TV by the likes of the late great Paul Daniels and even David Blaine and Dynamo. During that time, he taught me just a handful of tricks, most of the teaching time was spent, showing me how to be a performer and in the words of another famous magician “do it all with kindness”. I owe Bob and his wife, Val, more than I could ever repay.
Being a former member of The Magic Circle’s youth initiative programme, it was an honour to finally be able to apply for membership of The Magic Circle. You can only apply for membership once you have been forwarded by two existing members. I then had to travel to the headquarters in London for an interview regarding my abilities. The final stage was a performance in front of “The Panel” to assess my abilities technically and as a performer. I was very proud to be elected as a member without objection from any of the elite panel of judges. In 2018 I was promoted to A Member of The Inner Magic Circle with Gold Star, the highest degree within the society.
Along with some friends I co-created and starred in this magic viral video which had over 20 million views online and received international press coverage.
From 2013 – 2018 I was fortunate enough to be chosen by the production company RIP Productions to headline the touring show Champions of Magic. I closed the show each night with my double act partner Strange with our spectacular illusion show. To date we have toured the United Kingdom, The United States and Canada performing to over 300000 people in over 200 different theatres.